5 Stages Of Grief Essay

Grief can be described as the emotional effects from the loss of someone or something that was in your life. It is a normal reaction to loss. Grieving is never the same between two people and the symptoms are usually different. The end of a relationship, death of a pet, or a much-anticipated life goal that is suddenly closed are examples of things that can trigger grief. Feelings such as apathy, irritability, and the loss of life’s meaning coincide with emotions from loss.
There are 5 stages of grief according to Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her 1969 book, On Death and Dying. Denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Axelrod, 2015). It is important to note that the 5 stages do not always occur
“Denial is refusing to accept an unpleasant reality” (Huffman & Sanderson, 2015). In the denial stage it is likely to put aside the truth, not believing what happened. The feelings likely become overwhelming and denial helps to allow you to pace your emotions.
Anger is the next stage that comes in the grieving process. After the initial shock begins to wear off, and the denial begins to turn real the intense amount of emotions begins to turn to anger. Expressing anger toward the deceased loved one, inanimate objects or even complete strangers.
Bargaining is a way for the person to attempt to delay the foreseeable, wishing to go back to the way things were. Saying things such as “if only we had gone to the doctor sooner”, or “if only we had done something differently”. Bargaining with God to “save” a loved one, or wishing to go back in time to possibly change the event.
Depression can be the deepest, saddest time of grieving. Sometimes We start to feel empty, not caring about things that normally drive us. Saying things such as “what’s the point”. Normal everyday events such as getting out of bed take extreme amounts of effort and courage. Dr. Christina Hibbert states that “this is not a clinical depression, but rather bereavement and mourning” (Hibbert,